Adjustable die assembly

Abstract

An adjustable die assembly used in the extrusion of ceramic brick-forming material includes an adjustable die which is removable for maintenance without changing the size of the die aperture. An access opening is provided for accessing a fastener which mounts the die so that the fastener may be loosened without affecting the die adjustment.

1 . An adjustable die assembly for extruding brick-forming material therethrough, the assembly comprising:
 a first base plate;   a hole formed in the first base plate;   a fastener in the hole;   a through passage formed in the first base plate;   an adjustable die adjacent the passage;   a brick-forming extrusion aperture formed in the die and adapted for defining a cross sectional shape of ceramic brick-forming material extruded therethrough;   an adjustable jaw on the die bounding the aperture and movable to a plurality of positions to adjust the size of the aperture;   a securing member for selectively securing the jaw at a first one of the positions to set the size of the aperture; and   an access opening formed through the securing member for accessing the fastener.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the securing member serves as an adjusting member operatively connected to the jaw for moving the jaw to the plurality of positions. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the adjusting member is pivotally mounted on the jaw. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a groove formed in one of the adjusting member and jaw; and a rod on the other of the adjusting member and jaw pivotally received in the groove. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 2  further comprising at least one locking screw for securing the adjusting member. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5  further comprising at least one adjusting screw for moving the adjusting member. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising first and second spaced side plates on the die bounding the aperture; and wherein the jaw is between the first and second side plates. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7  further comprising a first frictional engagement between the first side plate and the jaw; and a second frictional engagement between the second side plate and the jaw; said frictional engagements holding the jaw in place between the first and second side plates without fasteners extending from the jaw to either of the side plates. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface on the first base plate; wherein the hole extends inwardly from the outer surface; and the securing member abuts the outer surface adjacent the hole. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a threaded lock screw hole formed in the first base plate; a hole formed in the securing member; and a lock screw extending respectively through the hole in the securing member and threadedly engaging the first base plate respectively within the lock screw hole for selectively securing the securing member to the first base plate. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the securing member serves as an adjusting member operatively connected to the jaw for moving the jaw to the plurality of positions; and the hole in the securing member is elongated; and further comprising an adjusting screw threadedly engaging the first base plate for moving the securing member relative to the first base plate with the lock screw disposed in the elongated hole. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a second base plate removably mounted on the first base plate by the fastener; and wherein the die is mounted on one of the first and second base plates; and the second base plate is removable from the first base plate without moving the jaw out of the first position. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the hole is a threaded hole; the fastener threadedly engages the first base plate within the threaded hole; and the die is mounted on the second base plate. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a tool-engaging formation on the fastener aligned with the access opening and adapted to be engaged by a tool for loosening the fastener. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a hole formed in the second base plate through which the fastener extends. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the die is disposed in the through passage and engages the second base plate. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 12  further comprising a gasket between the first and second base plates. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising threaded second and third holes formed in the first base plate; and first and second lock screws threadedly engaging the first base plate respectively within the second and third holes for selectively securing the securing member to the first base plate; and wherein the access opening is between the lock screws. 
   
   
       19 . An adjustable die assembly for extruding brick material therethrough, the assembly comprising:
 a base plate;   first and second threaded holes formed in the base plate;   a third hole formed in the base plate between the first and second threaded holes;   a fastener in the third hole;   an adjustable die mounted on the base plate;   a brick-forming extrusion aperture formed in the die and adapted for defining a cross sectional shape of ceramic brick-forming material extruded therethrough;   an adjustable jaw on the die bounding the aperture and movable to a plurality of positions to adjust the size of the aperture;   first and second lock screws threadedly engaging the base plate respectively within the first and second threaded holes for selectively securing the jaw at a first one of the positions to set the size of the aperture; and   an access opening between the lock screws for accessing the fastener.   
   
   
       20 . A method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a tool through an access opening formed through a securing member which secures an adjustable jaw bounding a ceramic brick-forming extrusion aperture formed in a die to engage a fastener with the tool; and   loosening the fastener with the tool to remove the die from a first base plate without changing the size of the aperture.